Dalton not available

Press, 19 September 1984, Page 56

Dalton not available

PA Auckland The All Black captain, Andy Dalton, is unavailable for next month’s All Black tour of Fiji. Dalton , said yesterday that as much as he would have liked to have gone to Fiji, his farm commitments prevented him. All Black coach, Bryce Rope, has received a letter from Dalton notifying him of his unavailability. “I’m now into the busiest time of the year on the farm and unfortunately, I just can’t spare the time away,” Dalton said.

Mr Rope said he had now received 18 replies to letters he sent to all the All Blacks who had played for their country this year asking about their availability for the four-match tour of Fiji. Dalton and Allan Hewson were the only two so far not available.

Dalton’s withdrawal means there is a major question mark over who will lead the All Blacks in Fiji.

Andy Haden, who did not go to Australia with the All Blacks but played in both tests against France and has led Auckland with great success this season, is one

prime candidate. Others in line are Murray Mexted and Jock Hobbs, both of whom captained the All Blacks in Australia.

Mr Rope said he and his fellow All Black selectors, Stan Hill and Brian Lochore, had not yet discussed the captaincy for the Fijian tour.

“We’ve been waiting until all the replies to the letter that we sent out have come in,” Mr Rope said. Dalton is still recovering from the tendon injury which kept him out of last Saturday’s Counties v. Hawke’s Bay match. “I want to play for Counties against Manawatu this Saturday as I’ll need to get a game in if I’m to play in the Ranfurly Shield match against Canterbury on Saturday week,” he said.